colourville 17
Well-Known Member
What are people's opinions on buying unseen? Is there any comeback if you feel the horse isn't as described. Especially if its a private sale as I know there are terms n conditions for dealers
Buying unseen
- Thread starter colourville 17
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TheMule
Well-Known Member
I would never buy a ridden horse unseen
Pearlsacarolsinger
Up in the clouds
My thought is "Don't!"
Red-1
I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
If you have to ask the question, I would say don't. It is for very experienced people only, who have extensively researched the seller and can spot a sound horse from video. Even then there is risk. It is also only for someone who can ride through issues and who has the money to spare of the horse doesn't work out, who will sell on or even PTS.
Yes, the law gives some 'protection' however actually getting a refund is practically impossible in many cases.
Yes, the law gives some 'protection' however actually getting a refund is practically impossible in many cases.
Traks
Well-Known Member
Not at all unless you are an expert or have very very good connections who can vouch for the horse…or perhaps a youngster that you are prepared to take a risk on. Chris Dyson is a very well respected dealer and he does sell a lot of unseen horses BUT he has a very good reputation and is usually spot on with his descriptions so he rarely has issues…he is good at matching horses to riders. He’s probably the only one I’d consider buying from. But he has a long waiting list!
Absolutely wouldn’t for a child…the number you see who do is unbelievable!
Absolutely wouldn’t for a child…the number you see who do is unbelievable!
silv
Well-Known Member
I have bought two unseen, both projects and the type easily enough to sell on. They were not expensive as very much in the rough but i have a good eye and can see through all that. I would never buy an expensive competition horse unseen however, i would need to ride it and know its personality and if I felt we would click.
Of my projects the first one had just been ridden on a farm, she had no brakes or steering, however now she is just fabulous, has taken me 5 seasons hunting and carried me all around the South Island on treks, she can also do a decent dressage test, i love her and would never sell her.
The second one is also delightful, however she was meant to be 15.2hh but she is only 14.2hh, I am too big for her although she is a very solid cob and can carry weight I feel big on her. I could have argued with the seller and sent her back but transport is expensive. Plus she was always going to be a project. I could see through all her hair and terrible feet, she was also 7 and unbroken just through the owners circumstances. I broke her in and she is so easy, also extremely pretty and i love having her around. Will get her out competing this season with a teenage rider and then sell her as a PC all rounder, or ride for a small lady. She could turn her hoofs to anything. I will find it difficult to part with her so in no hurry.
So really if you are prepared to take a punt it can work out well. But really only spend what you would be prepared to loose.
Of my projects the first one had just been ridden on a farm, she had no brakes or steering, however now she is just fabulous, has taken me 5 seasons hunting and carried me all around the South Island on treks, she can also do a decent dressage test, i love her and would never sell her.
The second one is also delightful, however she was meant to be 15.2hh but she is only 14.2hh, I am too big for her although she is a very solid cob and can carry weight I feel big on her. I could have argued with the seller and sent her back but transport is expensive. Plus she was always going to be a project. I could see through all her hair and terrible feet, she was also 7 and unbroken just through the owners circumstances. I broke her in and she is so easy, also extremely pretty and i love having her around. Will get her out competing this season with a teenage rider and then sell her as a PC all rounder, or ride for a small lady. She could turn her hoofs to anything. I will find it difficult to part with her so in no hurry.
So really if you are prepared to take a punt it can work out well. But really only spend what you would be prepared to loose.
Boulty
Well-Known Member
I think there’s a world of difference between buying off someone with an established and widely known good reputation for being honest about what they have such as Adam Ferris (who I believe a few people on here have bought from unseen and had a good experience) or Chris Dyson, especially for something known to be green or unbacked and buying unseen from a random private seller.
I still personally wouldn’t do it but can understand why some people do, especially if it’s from someone they’ve bought from before/ have an existing relationship with.
I still personally wouldn’t do it but can understand why some people do, especially if it’s from someone they’ve bought from before/ have an existing relationship with.
Jellymoon
Well-Known Member
Only if you are financially and mentally prepared for it to be not what you want and to have to somehow deal with it.
Some dealers say they will exchange, but that can end up a nightmare. They just block you.
I’ve done it twice when I was younger and more reckless, one was a disaster and one was good. If I had met the disastrous one first I would never have bought him, and I look back now and think, all that money just…pfft…gone.
Wasn’t ridiculous amount but would have paid for a nice holiday…or a decent horse I had actually met and tried.
People sound very charming and honest on the phone and the horses look amazing in their videos - we’ve all been there!!
Some dealers say they will exchange, but that can end up a nightmare. They just block you.
I’ve done it twice when I was younger and more reckless, one was a disaster and one was good. If I had met the disastrous one first I would never have bought him, and I look back now and think, all that money just…pfft…gone.
Wasn’t ridiculous amount but would have paid for a nice holiday…or a decent horse I had actually met and tried.
People sound very charming and honest on the phone and the horses look amazing in their videos - we’ve all been there!!
SaddlePsych'D
Well-Known Member
All the things everyone else has said obviously.
I know that there are rules in place for trade sellers (in theory!) that mean you have more right of returning a horse from a dealer. But I don't agree with the mindset of buying a horse with returning it in mind. Obviously if things go really wrong then it's important to have those rights of comeback, but there seem to be many buyers who do little if any due diligence on their purchase and just expect to send the horse back for a refund. Okay in theory you can do this but it's a living, breathing animal. Moving them around so readily doesn't seem great to me.
I'd rather a dealer make a real good effort to find a good match to minimise the need for the horse to be sent back, than sell with a 'don't worry you can send it back/exchange it' type approach. I think someone on here pointed out a dealer recently that encourages not just viewing but second viewing. That seems like a good approach.
I know that there are rules in place for trade sellers (in theory!) that mean you have more right of returning a horse from a dealer. But I don't agree with the mindset of buying a horse with returning it in mind. Obviously if things go really wrong then it's important to have those rights of comeback, but there seem to be many buyers who do little if any due diligence on their purchase and just expect to send the horse back for a refund. Okay in theory you can do this but it's a living, breathing animal. Moving them around so readily doesn't seem great to me.
I'd rather a dealer make a real good effort to find a good match to minimise the need for the horse to be sent back, than sell with a 'don't worry you can send it back/exchange it' type approach. I think someone on here pointed out a dealer recently that encourages not just viewing but second viewing. That seems like a good approach.
AShetlandBitMeOnce
Well-Known Member
I bought Dex as a rising 3yo from Ireland unseen for £6.5k-ish from memory. He was unbacked and untouched, I wouldn't buy a ridden one.
If he didn't work out or wasn't as described, he was worth more in the UK than he was in Ireland, and if he arrived broken I would have tried to get my money back but ultimately you win some you lose some.
I did this largely because I have always wanted a full ID and couldn't afford one backed and riding away in the UK, and I also wanted something untouched and unruined by anyone and his advert caught my eye and I just had to have him. There's a thread on here following the whole process real time.
He popped up a few sarcoids, could have been present during 2 stage vetting but as he was unhandled largely they didn't feel up into his armpit and thighs, or they could have popped up because of the long stressful journey, who knows. All have fallen off now but one had come back, I will treat the same as I did the others once its not fly season. Overall though he is the best thing since sliced bread, exactly as described, incredible brain and everyone loves him.
If he didn't work out or wasn't as described, he was worth more in the UK than he was in Ireland, and if he arrived broken I would have tried to get my money back but ultimately you win some you lose some.
I did this largely because I have always wanted a full ID and couldn't afford one backed and riding away in the UK, and I also wanted something untouched and unruined by anyone and his advert caught my eye and I just had to have him. There's a thread on here following the whole process real time.
He popped up a few sarcoids, could have been present during 2 stage vetting but as he was unhandled largely they didn't feel up into his armpit and thighs, or they could have popped up because of the long stressful journey, who knows. All have fallen off now but one had come back, I will treat the same as I did the others once its not fly season. Overall though he is the best thing since sliced bread, exactly as described, incredible brain and everyone loves him.
Lilly-Mayspookatbags
Well-Known Member
If you are prepared to handle anything!!! then yes I’d consider it. ( Including something that will try to kill you )
If you want something semi decent then don’t unless it’s someone reliable and the person selling is thoroughly vetted .
I bought a 5yo unseen from across the country based off 4 trotting up videos and a less than desirable advert. It was money I could afford to loose . She double barrelled me when I collected her. She is now an incredible horse with so much talent but it was blood, sweat, tears and a fractured hip.
Knowing what I know , I would do it all over again.
If you want something semi decent then don’t unless it’s someone reliable and the person selling is thoroughly vetted .
I bought a 5yo unseen from across the country based off 4 trotting up videos and a less than desirable advert. It was money I could afford to loose . She double barrelled me when I collected her. She is now an incredible horse with so much talent but it was blood, sweat, tears and a fractured hip.
Knowing what I know , I would do it all over again.
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sollimum
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't buy a horse unseen. Obviously it does work for some and not for others - it is a gamble as to what will arrive, height wise, temperament etc.
Saying that my mum bought a perfect cob years ago unseen but he was a 5 year old and miles greener than the videos suggested. He turned out to be a cracker though with a lot of work. He was bought from his breeder.
I just think if there is anyway you can view do. So many times over the years when looking for horses, the ads and videos would look perfect, we would drive across the country and then the horse would have an issue.
I just think if the horse is going to be a major part of your life - do meet him/her if you can first.
Saying that my mum bought a perfect cob years ago unseen but he was a 5 year old and miles greener than the videos suggested. He turned out to be a cracker though with a lot of work. He was bought from his breeder.
I just think if there is anyway you can view do. So many times over the years when looking for horses, the ads and videos would look perfect, we would drive across the country and then the horse would have an issue.
I just think if the horse is going to be a major part of your life - do meet him/her if you can first.